Half way- Mark!

Let me recap since I am just finishing up my half way mark of my 30^th year.

I wanted to celebrate turning 30, as a good thing and a new start in life not something that I was dreading, think of the Tim McGraw song: my next 30 years, I sat down and created small monthly goals that I could accomplish but would also help me become an improved woman, mom and girlfriend. 

Month one: remember to take a vitamin everyday

Month two: exercise every day (even if it for only 15 minutes)

Month three: eliminate as many chemicals as possible in the household

Month four: return to school/learn to be a stronger family unit

Month five: Rule of 3- spend more quality time with my kids

Month Six: move/start over

These were all things that had been bothering me and I wanted to improve them. Thus creating the “30” year plan. Not only were these goals to be accomplished on a monthly basis but also I read somewhere once that if you do something everyday for 3 weeks, it becomes a habit and it is easier to keep going with it. Thus, giving it a month would really help in sticking to it! 

I have to say that whoever said it was right, I have been able to maintain my goals, which is exactly what I wanted and needed.  I didn’t want to spend all this time working on these goals to just drop them after the month, in conjunction with the monthly goals came the year long goals. These year long goals tie in with my monthly goals in order to be more successful and easier to maintain. (More on those tomorrow).

There is one small exception to the goal list and that is the Rule of 3, which was something new, something we love and a craft every week. Not that I don’t want to do these things with my children but realistically it is a hard goal to keep up all of the time. That is the only goal that has been modified and that one is that we do a craft activity every week, and try to squeeze in two to three family favorite activities and something new. Sometime we hit a home run and an activity will cover two of the three!

And with that, I have to say, I have a huge sense of accomplishment for the first half of my 30^th year!

Source

Photo Traditions

Awhile back, I spoke about traditions that every family has including mine.You can read about those here, here, here and here.  Two days I shared with you how I organize my photographs, so it was a perfect time to share another one of our traditions.  Not that our traditions are anything someone else hasn't thought of or probably already done but it is the combination that we use them in that makes them special.


One of our other traditions is photographs. Each month for the first month of both of my kiddo's lives, we had their picture taken. The theme of the picture was based off of whatever was going on that month. For example, fourth of July, Changing of the seasons etc. Doing this was a huge pain in the butt, getting to the photo studio once a month was difficult. I looked at it like this,  they are never that age again and during the first year of life, I wanted to make sure I had at least one great photograph each month. 


Now, that both of my kiddos are older than a year, our tradition changes a little bit and we have pictures taken four times a year, which comes out to be about once every three months, Easter, Birthdays, Halloween and Christmas. To help keep this project from breaking the bank, I purchase a picture storage package for one year, which is about $9.99. At the end of the year, I have all of the pictures put onto a disc. I also save them in albums on shutterfly and this way friends and family can purchase the print that they like best, another cost effective tip.  In addition to uploading pictures, if I am going to order pictures, I order them through shutterfly and ebates. This way I earn money back on my prints.


I started something new with Pumpkin and once a month would send out an email to friends and family with her picture. Everyone said they loved the monthly updates and it was fun to see how she changed.

In addition to the monthly picture announcements, I have a frame that has all of their birth information, hand prints and footprints, and a space for each pictures from birth to age one.

What are some of your family traditions with photographs?

SMURFS!!!!

Wow, I am super Stoked! (I just sounded like one of my students there!) I can't help it though, the Smurf movie is coming out today and guess who is going to see it! That's right this chica right here! Let me explain, first I am a child of the 80's so I grew up watching them on Saturday mornings. You know, when you had to get up early to catch your cartoons! I spent my summers working at Girl Scout camp and we had camp names! Well, mine was Smurf, or Smurfy or Smurfette, depending on who you spoke with. Yes, the only person who had a camp names for their camp name! I even dressed up my entire camp unit once as smurfs, it was AWESOME!  More on camp later.

I also collect smurfs, it actually started with one of my campers, she sent me a small Smurf after she left camp and ever since, I have collected them. Peanut and Pumpkin are also avid smurf lovers, we watch the cartoons on DVD, they both have smurf books and next week we are going to Build a Bear to stuff Smurf! Love, Love, Love the smurfs! 

isnt he cute?

Just in case you were confused, I love the smurfs and I get to see them today!

How I organize my pictures!

Addict! That is me, or at least you can say when it comes to my camera. It is an ongoing joke that when I am invited somewhere, people leave their cameras at home. I am by no means a professional photographer, but I like to think that what I lack in knowledge, I make up in passion. I love looking through the camera lenses and capturing that small moment in time. There is something about being able to go back and all of the memories that come flooding back! My favorite part is when you look at the picture and each time remember something different. 

Pictures are amazing in the fact that they can invoke so many things, feelings, smells, ok ok, I could go on and on for hours. I know you know what I am talking about.

My friend Chelle and I were discussing how we organize our pictures the other day and it got me thinking do I like my system or do I need a new one? Then it got me wondering how people organize their pictures.  Hmm things that make you go hmmm.... yes yes a little early '90's and I went there!

You know you were dancing in your seat, ok maybe I am the only one but I had fun!

My Current System:

All of my pictures are housed in the My Pictures folder on my computer (I know ingenious right?)

In that folder are six more folders, each folder represents two months of the year!

When inside the folder they labeled by what it is and the date. 

a sample from March and April of this year.

Simple and Easy. At the end of the year, I burn the all of the folders onto a disc.

source

In addition to the disc, I back my pictures up monthly on Shutterfly. Which is another two part system,

They are divided by before and after I had children, mainly because it was too hard to sort any other way. 

The before pictures are sub categorized but what they are, high school (a folder for each year), dance pictures, camp pictures etc.

 The after kiddos pictures are done by year and uploaded in chronological order. I have a year folder, this year 2011, and then the current month folder, such as July. The pictures are uploaded into the month folder, this is so that it is easier for me to post on our family Shutterfly website.

In addition the the year folders I have Professional Pictures folder. Whenever I get the kiddos pictures taken, I buy the disc not the actual prints, saves so much money! The pictures are uploaded twice, for two reasons, one so I have them in the correct position of the year and two because I like to have them in one place in case I need to find them! The last folder is Cards I've Designed, this is just another backup for all of the cards I make for the holidays/events of our life. 

At the end of the month, they are put into the year folder and the next months folder is created! (July will just be renamed August). I do this until the entire year is complete and then we move onto the next year. 

Since I take a few pictures (remember I am an addict), on our family website for easier viewing the pictures are divided into two folders per year. I am getting a head of myself here! Not really important. 

My videos are done in a similar way and again organized my month and year to make finding/viewing easy. 

What is your system for organizing pictures?

Limitless Inspiration

It is no secret that I love reading and storing ideas to create and make into my own.  As much as I would love to stay that all of these wonderful ideas come to me while I am sleeping, that would be a total lie.  For years, as I was reading blogs, emails, tutorial etc, I would hit that lovely right mouse button and save the imagines in my "ideas"  folder! It started off first, as one big folder and as more and more images were saved, I had to classify them and sort them, it went into three folders: house, food and DIY. Pretty much my three favorite things, of course after my family.  Then as those folders became packed and would take me time to sort them, they got divided again and again, until my main "Ideas" folder was subdivided into 15 folders. Still a little better to manage but not by much, then I was thinking, well these are only on my computer, so I uploaded them to my Shutterfly so I would have access to them at all times. You never know when you might need a little inspiration. 


Then one day, I was reading one of my favorite blogs and they were talking about Pintrest. Hmm, what is pintrest?  Well  it is only a sort of unlimited inspiration. They have ideas and pictures on everything and anything. The concept behind the website is Genius, with a capital G!  

You can pin (think of an electronic bulletin board) pictures/ideas that you like onto different boards, similar to my folders. The greatest part is that you can share your board with others and you can follow your friend, or a favorite blog! Hello, can we say Love!


I was telling one of my friends about it and she said "Lorren, you should have never told about this, I always thought the ideas were yours!" What a great compliment!   I explained to her that the ideas are just used for inspiration and what I do with them from there is me!  Whenever you are in need of an idea or just want to browse for later, I highly suggest you check out Pintrest. You can even follow me by clicking here.  

Browse, get inspired, but whatever you do, try not to become addicted!

Happy Pinning!

P.S. Just for the record, I still use my folder system as well. Some habits are hard to break!

I live my life following this quote!

I hope you have a wonderful "extra filled Monday!"

Savory Sunday: Sloppy Joes

Usually while I am making meatloaf, I will also make a batch of sloppy Joes! This one is even easier and the slow cooker does the majority of the cooking for you!

Sloppy Joes

3 lbs ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup prepared mustard
4 TBS vinegar
4 TBS worcestershire sauce
3 tsp chili powder
hamburger buns

Cook ground beef, onion, and garlic, picture

drain.

Combine ketchup, water, brown sugar, mustard, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and chili powder

mix ingredients in crock pot

Cover and cook on high 3-4 hours or low 6-8 hours.

This is another great meal that you can easily freeze for a night when you don't feel like cooking!

Moving Tips to help keep you sane!

Having moved a few times in my lifetime, I have become somewhat of what you might call a pro (OK at least in my mind). Here are my top ten tips for moving and making your life easier before and after the move.

1. Develop a system for you to identify boxes and what's in them.  I like to use the color system, each room in my house is assigned a color. Using construction paper or colored duct tape, mark the boxes. Usually, I go with the construction paper so I can number/label the boxes easier. On the paper I also write what is in the box. Each room is given their "Number one" box: this is the box that has to be opened first, it includes, bed linens, there is something about sleeping in your own bed from the first night. We also have a whole house box number one: this includes plastic toasting glasses (gotta toast your new house before you do anything), toilet paper, tape, tool box, paper towels, cleaning supplies, flashlights, candles. I also take it a step further and in my moving notebook, write the number of boxes per room and what is it each one. This helps for keeping track of everything but also if there is a box lost, I know what to list on the insurance claim.

2. Have your children help as much as possible. Moving is very stressful for everyone involved, especially the little ones. Read to them, ask them questions, let them ask you questions.  I give my kiddos jobs that they are in charge of. Pumpkin loves to run around and give hugs and kisses, so she is the hug giver. Trust me, it is an important job when you are frustrated, there is something wonderful about a hug from your baby girl!  Peanut on the other hand gets the job of box counter. He goes from room to room and tells me exactly how many boxes there are. He is also in charge of making sure they are all packed together on the truck. Create jobs for them at the new place as well. This will help keep them occupied! I also assign them of their rooms, we pack them together but they are "boss."

Pumpkin's badge to wear on moving day!

Peanuts Badge to wear on moving day!

3. Start planning and packing as early as possible.  This will help to keep everything organized and you won't have to rush as much.  With the early packing you can keep things together and if need be known what you have to purchase when you get to your new house. This also creates the opportunity to create a countdown chart for the keiki. I love doing this and on the bottom of the chart a corresponding activity like number 5 below. This will also give you time to gather/collect boxes! Browse craigslist, freecycle for people with boxes they are trying to get off their hands. Chances are you will get them for free!

4. Getta Ridda (that's my sister's official term from when she was 5).   Purge your items. I guarantee you will find items that you haven't used/seen/thought about in months, maybe even years. I use the rule of thumb, if you haven't used it in 6 months most likely you won't need it. Exception to the rule: seasonal items, obviously you don't use your Christmas decorations for months at a time. (even those could be sorted). If you donate them, it can be a tax deduction (which is nice for the budget)

5.  Take a stroll at your new place.  If you are moving close enough that you can take a couple of hours and familiarize yourself with your new neighborhood, DO IT!!!!  In my case, most of my moves were long distances, so that's when we visit via the computer. Show the kiddos pictures of their new school, neighborhood, location of the closest park etc. Learn when your garbage pick up is, this will be very helpful when moving!  If you can show them your new house. Give them something to look forward to, not stress about. 

6. Start transferring all of your important stuff prior to your move. This ties in with start as early as possible. Switch your kids school records, give the school a call and start the process before you get there, same thing with the doctors. Sign up for grocery cards (unless they have the same stores), start forwarding your mail. Doing these little steps will help make the transitions smoother, make sure to start/transfer your utilities. Nothing like getting to your new house and not having lights! Find out from the DMV what you have to do to switch your license. Gather all of your important papers and place them somewhere that you could find at any point of your trip/move.  I have a section in my moving binder that copies of everything insurance cards, birth certificates, car registration, prescription information. You never know and it is better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. (wow, that sounds so much like my father).

7. Pack an "emergency bag."  No matter how you are getting to your new house, having a bag with extra clothes, toiletries, extra copies of insurance etc., medication, diapers etc. I moved once and the truck got lost, I ended up spending the night buying everything that I know I already had to make it through until the truck showed up. I also make ones for the keiki, with extra toys, puzzles, crayons etc.

8. Pack your truck/cars by room. It might not be the easiest way to pack it but when you are trying to unload a truck and having to walk all around the house like a crazy person, it makes it harder.  My personal preference is to pack the majority of the furniture together but still sorted by room. This helps to keep everything organized and will help make your next few days of unpacking  easier..... This is a combo tip.. unpack and set up your beds first. (See tip number 1).  There is something so soothing about sleeping in your own bed even if the rest of the house is in disarray! 

9. Have a shopping list ready to go. Depending on your move, obviously if you are moving across the city you won't need to throw food away. If you are moving across the country, then you have another story. I like to prepare a couple of days worth of food and put them in coolers (instead of ice, fill a 2 liter bottle halfway of water and drop it in). This way you aren't splurging on take out and if need be you have food for your trip. This also will help with getting your kitchen set up and while you are setting up the rest of the place, you will have snacks and drinks.

10. Enjoy your last few nights and first nights at your new place. As silly as it might sound or as stressful, I try to plan activities the last few nights we are at our place. Nothing fancy but a fun way to say good bye to our "old house."  Have a picnic in the living room, camp in the backyard, autograph a place in your house, leave a note in a fun location for the new people moving in. Do the same thing when you move to your new house as well. One of the ones the kids love the most is slumber party in mama and Dada's room. Make the transition as easy as possible.

Other hints:

Set up the kids rooms first- give them somewhere to go when you are doing the rest of the house.
take lots of pictures- I can hear it now...... right... like you will have time to take pictures. take a photo tour of your old house, it is always fun to go back and see where you lived.  Take pictures of your new house, it's fun to see what it looked like when you first moved in. Who does't like before and afters?
Don't be in such a rush to "renovate/change" everything.... I am sure there are things you want to change right away, but take time to get to know your house. Your wishes/needs might be different or not even apparent until you live there!
Get to know your neighbors.. the sooner the better.. you never know, maybe they will come help you unpack! One can dream right????
New house/ New traditions..... one of the things that I have learned is that families are bound by our traditions. You can read move about that in my family mission statement post. In your new house, start a new tradition, you will be surprised how fast your new place feels like "home."
Last but not least, make a moving announcement and share some of the photos with your family and friends!

Summer Bucket List and Can Update!

Since we are moving in a little less than a week, I wanted to share our Summer Bucket List update with you.  You can read my original post right here.  I know that summer is not over yet but I know that with the move and organizing the new house, I wouldn't have the time to implement and continue the bucket can! It makes me sad but such as life right?

We hung up our pieces of accomplished summer items on our wall leading in the basement. You might be wondering why the basement, the answer is simple, that is how we go to the yard and play and it is inspiring every time you walk down the steps and see something fun. 

My goal was to take pictures of the kids doing the activities and hang it on the wall with the finished tags but other things got in the way. Wow, I am just striking out here aren't I?

Without further delay, here is our wall of summer accomplishment!

the view coming up the steps!

Close up!

the same ones on the can! Have to make it all tie together!

another close up!

Moving Update!

July is almost over! I cannot believe how fast time has flown! Which means that we are almost ready to move! Scary thought and as the time gets closer, I am becoming more and more nervous! I think this has been our most jam packed month to date, birthday parties, graduation parties, packing, sorting, puppies being born! Pure Craziness but you know what, it has been AWESOME!

Moving has not been stressful (thus far) because a lot of prep work went into it! Call me crazy, but I wanted my kiddos to look at this as a "new adventure" not something that will make them upset and cry. I tell both of my children, more so Peanut, but life is about taking chances, growing, enjoying it and not having regrets! To help him with the move, we made a pro/con list. Now, you might be thinking that this is a little advanced for him but having spent many years with him discussing feelings and things that make him happy/sad, this came out just fine!

First thing,  we have been reading lots of books, you can read about all of those in this post and even writing our own moving story (will share that when it is finished).

Next, we have been sorting and organizing our house by color. Every room has a color and every box has to match (more on that later). This helps the children to be able to participate and keeps everything nice and organized. I have created a moving bible to keep everything organized and at my fingertips.

In addition to our moving our things, we have been organizing a road trip, this is what happens when you move and pack all of your stuff in storage and then have to go get it four years later. You find stuff you completly forgot about! To make better us of our time and money, while we are getting our belongings we havedecided to make the best of it and tour parts of the United States. 

Although it has been stressful, I wouldn't have it any other way!

Toilet Paper Rolls: How I Love Thee!

How many times have your thrown away the tube from your toilet paper or paper toll rolls?  Now, is time to stop. They have so many uses from household decorations to organizing items in your household.

I am always listing for them on freecycle and of course saving my own as well.

I use them for organizing my flags in the holiday decorations, this way they stay all together and keep clean.

I also use them to store banners, just as efficient as the holders you buy at the store, but much more budget friendly and as a bonus you are recycling!

I even used them in my classroom for crafts for the students.

their bee bodies were made from toilet paper rolls!

I love the budget friendliness of them and almost everyone has one. If you are looking for ideas, just type in toilet paper crafts in google and you will be amazed.

Moving on, one of my favorite and easy items to make is a candy tube holder.

Simply take your tube and paint it, or cover it with scrapbook paper.

gather a piece of tissue paper (not necessary but makes it nicer), fill it with candy.

Gently roll the paper with the candy and insert in tube.
Push the ends of the tube in and tape. You now have a candy holder!


great for a gift, you could even tie a ribbon around it for a teacher gift!


If you aren't a big fan of folding the edges down, you could always take the tissue paper and tie it off to look like one giant piece of candy.

Budget friendly, earth friendly and creative; what a great combination.

Interesting fact: We (Americans) Throw away enough toilet paper tubes to fill two Empire State buildings. Check this blog entry about it.

Lego Party: Part Four

Party favors are my Kryptonite just call me superman, just the thought of them gets me weak in the knees! I hate to give the bags filled with items that you know as soon as you get home, they are going in the garbage.  I try not to give just candy (although this year it happened :( ) When Peanut turned two, I was able to give everyone a copy of his favorite book (also the theme to his party) The Very Hungry Caterpillar. It was perfect.


Alright, moving on, part of the reason why I DISLIKE them so much is that they can kill a budget quicker than you an say "party".

This year I was determined to not break my budget and make the favors nice and as cheap, resourceful as possible. Using containers from Crystal Light drink mixes (Thanks again P for helping out), I filled them with the extra brick candy and using the same designs of the cupcake wrappers just changing it to Thank you instead of "6" and "Peanut", I taped them around and bam! Favors for any budget.

The best part is that the breakdown came to 10 CENTS a Piece. You can't beat that.  My advice for favors if you must give them out, be resourceful and check what you already have at your house (or your friend's),


I also created tubes for the other part of the favor that I forgot to give out :(  You can see how I created those tomorrow!